Ian hunter biography books

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Check out Slade's Feel The Noize (published in 1984, and written by rock journalist Chris Charlesworth), which was a joy to read from start to finish.

I understand Campbell is working on bringing the Ian Hunter story up to date, possibly with a publication date of 2018, although whether this will be a treatise just of Ian or an update to this book I don't know.

Contents

The book runs to 26 chapters, with coverage as follows:

1. It's a Mighty Long Way Down Rock 'n' Roll.

   The result is an entirely fresh treatment of the subject, and for that he is to be commended.

   Running to some 400 pages of close type, this book is no lightweight but is absolutely fascinating from start to finish. There is the initial euphoria of his solo debut, the seemingly cursed Overnight Angels sessions in 1977 and the fabulous Schizophrenic album and subsequent tour in 1979.

   With Steve Holley in tow, his fortuitous meeting with Andy Yorke allowed Ian to build the Rant Band into possibly the best band he's ever worked with.

   What comes across most strongly, however, is just what a thoroughly decent bloke Ian Hunter is. Since then, Ian has rebuilt his career and recording and touring band starting with 2001's Rant album.

   Further highly-acclaimed albums followed, culminating in When I'm President (2012) and the brilliant Fingers Crossed (2016). 24 pages of photos, many in color. Interspersing the text with contemporaneous photos would also help I think. Campbell has wisely avoided recycling old press clippings but has instead interviewed all the members of Mott The Hoople.

   

   This volume covers Ian's solo career from 1975 to the present day.

   Much has happened in Ian's career since 1998 (when All The Young Dudes - The Biography was published), not least the revival of Ian's career through an astonishing succession of albums so we were due an update to bring the story up-to-date. If you're looking for lurid tales of debauchery, groupies, drugs and the like then go read Lemmy's autobiography (it's full of it) - you won't find any of that here.

   As such, it is essential reading not just for fans of Ian Hunter, Mick Ronson and Mott The Hoople but for the casual fan as well.

   Criticisms

   Although they were interviewed extensively for the book, following publication both Dale Griffin and Overend Watts disowned the book and were scathing about it and the author.

   ROCK 'N' ROLL SWEEPSTAKES, VOLUME ONE: Ian Hunter, The Authorised Biography

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   Published at $28.99Your Price$9.95(Save $19.04)

   Campbell Devine

   The first part of a two volume biography charts Ian's unique musical journey from his formative rock'n'roll years to his commercial success as the face and voice of legendary Seventies British band, Mott the Hoople.

   No questions asked.

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   Review

   Published by Cherry Red Books; ISBN 1901447057

   Mott The Hoople were one of the seminal British rock bands of the early 70's. This has now been superceded by Rock 'n' Roll Sweepstakes (see above).

   In the mid 1990's there was Phil Cato's disappointing and entirely derivative book.

   Of course, there is Willard Manus' novel Mott The Hoople, which inspired the name, from 1966.

   Copyright © 1998-2025 Adrian Perkins

   Review

   Published by Omnibus Press; ISBN 978-1787602502

   The Ian Hunter story is now far too big to fit in a single volume, and so is split into two.

   Return it within 60 days for a full refund. The 1980's saw Ian and musical partner Mick Ronson feeling uninspired, while the 1990's saw Ian effectively sidelined following Ronson's too-early passing. It is impossible to do Mott's or Ian's careers justice in only a handful of paragraphs and, sadly, most of these encyclopedias contain errors (mostly minor, but one or two contain major "howlers").

   It seems there is something on every page I didn't know before, so thorough is Campbell's research.

   This book is the most comprehensive work on the subject, and could well be the most detailed book written about any band.

   Format: Hardbound
   Pages: 519
   Publisher: Omnibus
   ISBN: 9781787601543
   Item #: 9033416

   Published at $28.99Your Price$9.95(Save $19.04)

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   Don Arden, Don Powell and Lemmy all used professional writers to assist their autobiographies, and if ever there is an updated edition I think such a move would be of benefit here. It traces the early (pre-Mott) careers of all band founder members, through their time at Island, their meeting with Bowie and the switch to CBS, the rise to international stardom and on to their break-up, their subsequent careers up to the present day.

   Fresh insights are provided into various aspects of Mott's career including much-debated topics such as Mott's break-up at the end of 1974, Ian's relative inactivity during the 1980's, and the chances (in the late 90's) of a fully-fledged reunion.

   Covers the early career of Ian Hunter until the end of 1968.

2. Little Flame, Tormented Soul covers Guy Stevens' career, Silence's career in early 1969, and their auditions for Guy Stevens.
3. Two Miles From Heaven covers Mott's formation and their eponymous first album.
4. When Both Of My Minds Have Gone covers the Mad Shadows album and tours in 1970.
5. Maybe I'm Just A Loser covers the Wildlife album and subsequent tours, including their famous Royal Albert Hall gig in 1971.
6. We Ain't Bleeding You, We're Feeding You covers the recording of Brain Capers, subsequent tour and 'split' early in 1972.
7. I'm a Dude, Dad covers David Bowie's involvement with Mott and their successful tours of the UK and USA in 1972.
8. Verden Grew a Line or Two covers the departure of Verden Allen in 1973.
9. '73 Was a Jamboree covers the recording of the Mott album.
10. I've Got To Move On covers Mick Ralphs' departure and the forming of Bad Company.
11. Ladies and Gentlemen, The Golden Age of Rock 'n' Roll covers Ariel Bender, the Autumn 1973 tours of the USA and UK and the recording of the Hoople album.
12. It's Got To Be The Greatest Show On Broadway covers Mott The Hoople's 1974 American tour and their historic shows on Broadway.
13. Ziggy Played Guitar covers Mick Ronson's career up to when he joined Mott The Hoople.
14. I'm Just a Marionette covers Mott The Hoople's European tour with Mick Ronson and their subsequent split.
15. Trapped Halfway Up covers Ian Hunter's first solo album in 1975.
16. Just a Whitey From Blighty covers Ian's second solo album All American Alien Boy in 1976.
17. Don't Let Them Tell You That You'll Never Find Fame covers MOTT's career 1975-76.
18. Can You Hear Us? covers Ian Hunter's Overnight Angels project in 1977.
19. Give Me One More Chance To Run covers British Lions career from 1977 until their demise in 1979.
20. Noises covers Ian's years with Chrysalis 1979-81.
21. God Bless You, Guy covers Guy Stevens' career from his split with Mott until his death in 1981.
22. Take Another Roller Coaster Ride covers Ian's career in the mid'80's, his All Of The Good Ones Are Taken album, and his movie soundtracks work.
23. Never Too Small To Hit The Big Time covers Ian's YUI Orta album and tours 1988-1990.
24. Michael Picasso, Goodnight traces Mick Ronson's final years until his death from cancer in 1993.
25. Something To Believe In brings the story up to 1998 (when it was published), with recent Mott The Hoople releases and Ian's late-90's career moves.

The book also has several appendices:

1. Chronology chronicles the major events in the Mott The Hoople/Ian Hunter story between 1963 and 1988
2. Discography lists all the major album and single releases by Mott The Hoople, Ian Hunter, Mick Ronson, MOTT and British Lions
3. Sessionography lists all the players, dates and tracks recorded by Mott The Hoople and Ian Hunter
4. Live Dates lists all the known live dates by Mott The Hoople and Ian Hunter

There are also over 40 rare/previously unseen photos covering all stages of the band's career.